B2

It is one thing to talk the talk, but how many truly walk the walk, especially in today's turbulent economic times? When so many companies have cut and or severely curtailed their community giving and program involvement, it is refreshing to see companies like the Travelers step up and make a difference in the community when times are tough. Last week, the Travelers Championship was a testament to how companies and brands should support the community where their employees work and live.

Last week marked a milestone event as reported in the New York Times - the death of the mega retail music outlet, one of the last giants. Virgin Megastore closed its doors for good on Sunday. It's an example of another channel concept heading off to the channel graveyard, and iTunes has been the killer in this category. One brand has single handedly changed the way the purchase of music is being played out today.

It's tough to find any category that has undergone more change in the past decade than personal insurance. Evolution is the operative word as carriers struggle to maintain and grow share. At one time the category was owned lock, stock and barrel by insurance agents - the trusted resource you turned to for quotes, claims and anything else that had to do with an insurance-based brand. Agents ruled the day. Insurance carriers worried about making sure that they were in close conversation with their selling partners. It was all about managing their brand in channel so that the channel didn't manage the brand. The insurance agents made big money and made sure that insurance carriers were beholden to them. The ultimate position of strength. That's surely not the case today.

Today's btobonline newsletter brought some sobering news to anyone in the business to business world. According to the latest Business Information Network figures released by American Business Media, ad pages declined 33.06% in March 2009 compared with March 2008. Pages are off 29.70% for the first quarter of 09 vs. 08.

Last week I watched all the various Chrysler and GM dealer closing stories with amazement at both the sheer amount of media coverage and the questioning outcry of how this could happen. The arguments for doing it are both compelling and convincing. It's essentially a fact that only the fittest survive in distribution.

The term "partner" is one of the greatest and also one of the most overused words in business, especially within distribution channels. In today's tumultuous business world, everyone wants to be your partner. It's one thing to say you're a partner and entirely different to actually pay off on it. It's all about walking the walk and talking the talk.

Another sign was seen yesterday that indicates that the end is near for the advertising/communications business as we know it. According to the respected Delaney Report - the industry newsletter for marketing, advertising and media executives, yet another brand is asking advertising agencies to literally give away their product.

Time spent thinking is one of the greatest things you can do - either personally or professionally. You should always take time to think, especially if you are in business. Rethinking an idea or an action is an accepted way to think. Outthinking someone and/or your competition is hard. But unthinking something isn't normal. That is why KFC's latest campaign - UNTHINK KFC - to introduce Kentucky Grilled Chicken is baffling to me. Yes, it is a secret recipe. That's where the similarity ends.

It seems like it happens overnight - lawns everywhere have turned green. This time of year also coincides with advertising from Scotts for lawn fertilizer. The "voice of Scotts," Ashton Richie, is everywhere on the radio extolling the virtues of Scotts 4-Step Lawn Care Program. Richie, an agronomist by trade, is credited with developing the program and getting consumers to buy more fertilizer than needed. (Twice a year is more than enough.)

Just when you think that you've seen every reality format, another one comes along to make you think - I should have thought of that, seeing I'm in the business. Leave it to the Discovery channel to come up with a great reality show concept. After all, Discovery has brought us Man vs. Wild, Dirty Jobs with the excellent Mike Rowe; and what may be the best of all the outdoor reality shows, Deadliest Catch (which premieres on April 14th for all you Deadliest Catch junkies).